The Nuttree Quartet

An East Coast all-star ensemble, the Nuttree Quartet convened in 2007 to record a CD and tour a bit, hopefully not the only time these great musicians play modern progressive and contemporary jazz together. The group has roots in both Boston, MA, and New York City, where the bandmembers came up in the ranks, were schooled, or live. Electric guitarist John Abercrombie is widely regarded as one of the leading artists on his instrument since the early jazz-rock fusion days of the '70s, when the Berklee College of Music distinguished alumnus played with Dreams and Billy Cobham, recorded extensively for the ECM label, and was involved in the co-op trio Gateway. Tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi is one of the many post-John Coltrane cum Michael Brecker school of neo-boppers, growing up in Boston, working on the Two Generations of Brubeck LP and with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, and carving his own path as a leader. Drummer Adam Nussbaum has played with a veritable who's who of modern jazz masters after attending the Davis Center and the City College of New York. His most prominent associations have been with David Liebman, Michael Brecker, and John Scofield before joining Nuttree. Organist Gary Versace is the youngest member; he grew up in Connecticut, studied at the Eastman School, and is a prominent member of Matt Wilson's Arts & Crafts band in addition to his solo projects. The Nuttree Quartet adopted their moniker via a translation of Nussbaum's surname from German to English. Their 2008 debut recording on the Kind of Blue label, Standards, features interpretations of music composed in the American popular song tradition and written by the Gershwin brothers, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, and Wayne Shorter. ~ Michael G. Nastos